Now, Aryan used to have a place to call home, where he could spend his nights. But now, he won't have to sleep on a public park bench. Thinking about this brought a smile to Aryan's face."
Arya had rented a room, but he still needed to pay three months' rent as an advance. This is why Aryan talks to Julie about an advance salary. Initially, Julie refuses to give Arya an advance salary, but later, after understanding Aryan's situation, she provides him with an advance equivalent to two months' salary. Aryan uses this advance salary to pay the landlord three months' rent in advance and buys some essential items for his room, so he can make a living. Aryan doesn't buy too many things and just gets a bed for sleeping, in addition to some cooking essentials.
Aryan was standing in his room at the moment, gazing around, checking if anything was missing. He had thoroughly cleaned his room, and it now looked better than before. One could say that a person could live here. Aryan finally had a home to return to after work. He didn't buy a bed for sleeping because it was beyond his budget, so he bought a mattress and placed it on the floor. After a long day of work, Aryan would lie down on that mattress, and it felt as if he was sleeping on a king-size bed with a velvet mattress. This was because he had been sleeping on the floor, even with a mat, for more than three years, both in jail and on a park bench after his release. So now, this mattress felt just as comfortable as a velvet mattress.
Aryan had now found his way back on track, but he still felt a sense of emptiness within. Despite this, he would suppress the voice of his heart. His life continued this way, and time passed. As time went by, two years had already elapsed.
Two years later,
Aryan had started to find some happiness by addressing his old wounds. A smile had begun to grace his face. Over these two years, Aryan had been working at the Moon Night Club, and now he was a bartender there. The night was dark outside, but inside the Moon Night Club, there was a bright, lively atmosphere. Glasses and bottles clinked at the bar counter, and young men and women danced on the dance floor. The atmosphere was cheerful. Aryan was behind the bar, showcasing his skills. In these two years, Aryan had become a master in bartending. He looked like he had been doing this job for many years. His hairstyle was perfectly set, and he wore a mask on his face. Aryan had started wearing a mask after an incident two years ago. Whenever he felt that people around him might recognize him, he would always put on a mask. Julie didn't mind it. She would always tell Aryan, "As long as your eyes are visible, I have no problem, because your eyes are enough to set people's hearts on fire." The bond between Julie and Aryan had deepened over time. Now, in the club, Aryan had two friends, Ria and Julie. Ria had been shifted to the PR department.
Aryan was having a conversation with John, who had quit his job but occasionally visited Aryan and his friends because he had many memories attached to this place. John felt attached to this place, and whenever he missed it, he would come back. Aryan had his mask on, and he asked, "You've come after two months this time. Where were you and what have you been up to all this time?"
John, with a bit of theatrics, says, "Forgive me, my friend. I know it took me some time to come, but what can I do? I'm not alone now. After all, I have my family. My wife is waiting for me at home, and if I keep coming here to spend my nights at the bar daily, what will she think? She might suspect I'm having an affair or something..."
Aryan, still smiling, says, "Seems like you're quite afraid of your wife, John."
To which John responds, "Well, you've got to be a little scared, my friend. After all, I'm married to her, and you know, after marriage, every man is unafraid of anyone in the world except his wife. So, how can I be any different from the rest of the world when it comes to my wife?"
Aryn laughs and replies, "You've said it right, John. It's a good thing I'm not married yet; otherwise, I might be in the same boat as you."
John takes a sip of his drink and continues, "You're right. When I see you enjoying like this, it makes me a bit jealous, but when I see my wife's face, I feel like I haven't made a mistake by getting married."
Aryan prepares a drink and places it in front of John. John takes a sip and says, "Your skills are improving day by day. You make better drinks compare to me."
Arya smiles and responds to John, "Thank you for the compliment, John."
Robin, puzzled, says, "But I don't understand one thing. Why have you started wearing this mask? You're handsome, and any girl would easily be charmed by you. Yet, you hide your beautiful face behind this mask. Can you explain the reason behind it?"
Aryan, after a moment of contemplation, responds, "I like wearing the mask, and I don't want too many girls buzzing around me like butterflies. I prefer to keep a bit of mystery."
Robin, you're getting curious, but whenever I ask you about the mask, you come up with some excuse and divert the conversation. However, I really want to know the true reason behind why you prefer wearing the mask today."
John, it's not what you're thinking. When I remove the mask, I feel a bit nervous. You could say that I prefer not facing people, and wearing the mask allows me to focus better on my work."
Robin responds, "That's a very strange answer, and I'll forgive you for it. But I don't quite like your explanation because you're not the kind of person with low confidence who feels shy to face a crowd."
Aryan couldn't tell John the reason why he wore the mask in the end. Two years had passed since the incident, and nothing like that had happened again. No one recognized him, yet Aryan still felt a constant fear. He didn't want to take any risks that might lead someone to identify him as the perpetrator because it could shatter the new life he had started with a single word. He was determined not to let that happen, which is why he always wore the mask.
John playfully says, "Hello, Mr. Robin, have you lost yourself again? When will you stop getting lost in your thoughts? I wonder what goes on in your mind that you drift away in the middle of a conversation."
Aryan, upon hearing John's remarks, regains his composure and responds, "It's not like that, John. I'm right here. I don't know why you misunderstand. It's just that I was somewhere else in my thoughts. Can't you see that I'm right in front of you?" Just then, Riya arrives and adds, "John is absolutely right! I don't know who this mysterious girl is who always manages to take you away from us while we're talking. You get lost in her thoughts every time. You should tell us who she is!" Riya's face carries a loving smile as she teases him.
Aryan lowers his gaze at Riya's comment and repeats, "Riya, you've started again. I've told you so many times that there's no girl in my life.
I can't believe you. If don't have a girlfriend like a guy like you, whose girlfriend will she be?"
Feeling embarrassed in front of Riya, Aryan continues, "So, when will you finally believe me? When will you have faith in what I say is truth ?"
Riya quickly responds, "I'm ready to believe in your words now. If you don't have a girlfriend, you can make me your girlfriend right now. But if you don't make me your girlfriend, it means you already have a girlfriend, and you just don't want to tell me." She begins to act offended.
Aryan is bewildered by this and on the other side, John bursts into laughter, saying, "Robin, won't you give an answer to this?"
Aryan, feeling both perplexed and concerned, responds, "Riya, you can't do this. Are you trying to blackmail me?" There's a hint of sadness in Aryan's eyes, and he also notices the desperation in Riya's behavior.
Riya insists, "If you feel that way, then you can understand it right now. I've been asking you to be my boyfriend for a year, but you've never been ready to accept. Today, my patience has run out. Mr. Robin, please, become my boyfriend."
John interjects, "Robin, it seems like you're in a tricky situation here."
Aryan, feeling trapped and not knowing what to do, is about to go and see Riya, who is smiling at him as if she has a winning smile on her face. Aryan asks, "Riya, what are you doing?"
Riya replies, "Are you responding to me or not?"
Aryan, in a calm tone, says, I've told you several times before. You're a very good friend, and I can't make you my girlfriend at any cost. I don't want to jeopardize our friendship by repeating this over and over again, but you just don't seem to understand."
John, hearing Aryan's words, interjects, "Aryan, the way you're talking to Riya can hurt her feelings. She might take your words negatively.
Arann is now frustrated he coldly says, "why are you tellingme,? Can't you see for yourself what Riya is doing? When she knows me well and doesn't like me repeatedly telling her not to do something, she asks the same question again... "
Riya responds, "Aryan, if my words hurt you, I apologize. I was just joking this time. I didn't propose to you this time. I know you don't see me as more than a friend, but I can't help myself from making jokes. Please forgive me." After saying this, Riya leaves.
John, after watching Riya leave, responds to Aryan, "I had told you, didn't I, that she would take it the wrong way... You should think before speaking. She was just joking, and you took a small thing too seriously."
Aryan, feeling guilty, says, "I didn't know she was joking. I'm sorry; I made a mistake. I shouldn't have talked to her like that."
John advises, "Now, what are you telling me? You should tell her that I... Anyway, she doesn't stay mad at you for long. If you say sorry, she'll forgive you immediately."
I will talk to her.
It's probably better for you, John.
He spends his evening with Aryan, and then he heads to the club around midnight.